TOOTH SENSITIVITY / DENTINAL HYPERSENSITIVITY
DENTINAL SENSITIVITY is dental pain which is sharp in character and of
short duration, arising from exposed dentin surfaces in response to stimuli,
typically thermal, evaporation, tactile, osmotic, chemical or electrical; and
which cannot be ascribed to any other dental disease.
SYMPTOMS
Thermal – hot and cold drinks and foods, cold air, coolant water jet from a
dental instrument.
Electrical – electric pulp testers
Mechanical–tactile – dental probe during dental examination, periodontal
scaling and root planing,tooth brushing
Osmotic – hypertonic solutions such as sugars
Evaporation – air blast from a dental instrument
Chemical – acids, e.g. dietary, gastric, acid etch during dental treatment
CAUSES
The most common cause - Gingival Recession
( receding gums )
- Tooth Wear
- Wrong Brushing Habits
- Abrasive tooth paste
LESS COMMON CAUSES -
- Acid erosion
(e.g. related to gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Bulimia or excessive consumption of acidic foods and drinks
- Periodontal root planing
- Dental bleaching
- Tooth whitening tooth paste
- Decay around the edges of a filling
- Tooth sensitivity after dental visit
- Plaque deposition
- Alcohol containing mouthwash
TREATMENT
= Desensitizing tooth paste
= Correct the brushing technique - avoid horizontal method of brushing
= Use a soft bristle brush and brush for 2 minutes with gentle pressure
= Limit acidic foods or try to drink water having acidic food items to
neutralize the acid in your mouth.
= Cover exposed root surface using dentin adhesive sealers with the help of a
dentist
= Root canal treatment
= Laser treatment - low output lasers , Nd YAG ,Er YAG CAN BE USED TO TREAT
SENSITIVITY but It is the most expensive method .
